vegan recipes

Asian Food, Bowls, Grains, International vegan cuisine, oil free vegan recipes, Plant Based, Vegan

Spicy Tofu Stir Fry Recipes

Posted on March. 2023March. 2023 by writinstuff

Stir Fry is one of my favorite lazy vegan meals because you can make it with pretty much anything left over in the fridge before grocery day, and it doesn’t require a lot of extra planning. If you have half a carrot that you want to use before it goes bad, grab some bell peppers and onions and you’re halfway to a good vegan stir fry.

And when it comes to protein? The vegan world is your oyster, or your oyster mushroom (see what I did there?).

Vegan Stir Fry Protein Options:

*Nuts
*Tofu
*Vegan meat alternatives
*Beans
*Seeds

Pick your favorite or leave it out together and opt for a tahini or peanut butter based sauce if you prefer. Add a grain and you’ve got a delicious vegan stir fry recipe you can call on at anytime.

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International vegan cuisine, oil free vegan recipes, Plant Based, Vegan, Vegan Food Products

Creamy Greek Style Vegan Polenta & Greens

Posted on March. 2023March. 2023 by writinstuff

Have I ever told you how much I enjoy polenta? I’ll let you in on a little secret, as much as I love it, my husband has a fanatical love of polenta.

Well, in Romania it’s called Mămăligă and it’s a little stiffer than polenta but they are basically the same. His favorite is mămăligă cu branza which translates to polenta with cheese, and I have to admit that it is super delicious. And I happened upon some vegan Greek white which is an excellent version of vegan feta cheese, and a perfect ingredient to mix into your favorite version of polenta.

I’ve talked a lot here and here about what makes a really good and creamy polenta, so check it out for tips on getting the best polenta you can.

I paired this polenta with a Beyond “steak” patty and kohlrabi greens with garlic and grilled onions because, well because it is wicked delicious.

What’s your favorite thing to pair with polenta?

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Bar Food, International vegan cuisine, Plant Based, Sauces & Creams, Vegan

Oyster Mushroom Barbacoa Recipe

Posted on February. 2023February. 2023 by writinstuff

Hi, my name is Natasha and I am a vegan foodie.

This is where you say, “Hi, Natasha!”

As such, this means that I spend time on YouTube, online and pretty much any other venue scrounging around for other other vegan bloggers who have come up with delicious creations for me to sample. Today’s recipe is no different and it’s from one of my favorites, Yeung Man Cooking.

That’s right folks, this sort of simplistic vegan blogger with a specialty in Asian cuisine is one of my favorites because he has a magical ability to take one Asian recipe and turning into 47 different recipes, which is great for me because I just can’t get enough.

Today’s vegan recipe is mushroom barbacoa. Mushroom Barbacoa, y’all!

Will used King Oystery mushrooms but not only are those suckers expensive but they aren’t widely available at all the grocery stores here in Romania. However my favorites, oyster mushrooms, can be found anywhere barring any food shortages so I did what every good vegan has to do once in a while (or more frequently), I improvised.

So let’s get to it!

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Asian Food, Bowls, Indian, International vegan cuisine, Plant Based, Vegan

Oyster Mushroom Vegan Mujadara Recipe

Posted on January. 2023January. 2023 by writinstuff

Mujadara is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for vegans looking to expand your culinary knowledge or to simply tickle your tastebuds. I love trying out new recipes from around the world because it’s fun to veganize them and then I get to experiment with new herbs and spices in all kinds of other dishes.

Made with golden lentils, wild rice, and oyster mushrooms, this easy vegan recipe is full of flavor and nutrition. The addition of ginger, garlic, onion and turmeric give it a warm and comforting taste that is sure to please.

You can use a variety of vegan meat alternatives to make this dish include tofu, vegan beef strips or even beans. The choice is yours!

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International vegan cuisine, oil free vegan recipes, Sides, Vegan

Vegan Soul Food Recipes ~ Vegan BBQ, Baked Sweet Potatoes & Greens

Posted on January. 2023January. 2023 by writinstuff

Soul food is a traditional cuisine that is steeped in history and culture. It’s a cuisine that has been passed down through generations and is known for its rich and comforting flavors. However, traditional soul food often relies heavily on meat and dairy products, making it difficult for vegans to enjoy. But, with a few simple substitutions and a little bit of creativity, it’s easy to create a vegan soul food Sunday dinner that is just as satisfying as the original. And healthier!

It doesn’t matter if you’re from the United States or anywhere else in this world, you can enjoy a traditional albeit vegan, soul food dinner.

The key to creating delicious vegan soul food recipes is creativity! Think up your favorite 3 or 4 vegan soul food dishes and then think about how you can veganize it. Really, it’s all about the seasoning that you use whether you have barbecue vegan chicken or vegan ribs. Just think about it and let today’s recipes guide you.

Oh, and just in case you were wondering, vegan soul food recipes aren’t just for Sunday dinner!

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oil free vegan recipes, Plant Based, Sauces & Creams, Vegan

Quick & Easy Vegan Meals ~ Pesto Vegan Eggs

Posted on December. 2022December. 2022 by writinstuff

You ever have one of those weird thoughts about something you want to eat but the weirdness of it prevents you from having it? Something that sounds like it probably won’t take very good but you can’t get it out of your head?

For me that dish recently was pesto eggs.

Weird, right?

So weird.

Anyway I let the thought sit with me for a good week or so, ignoring it because I was sure it would end up gross and who wants to waste calories on a gross vegan meal? Not me.

But then I was at Lidl and there was a ton of fresh basil, and I don’t know about you but I am not one of those women who can walk past fresh basil without grabbing at least four packages.

I love having pesto on hand because it goes with so many different things. You can use it on sandwiches, salad dressing, pizza, subs, pasta or a bread topper. You can even use it as a sauce! There are so many options and when it’s fresh and green and garlicky it’s just mouthwateringly delicious.

So, let’s talk about this weird pesto eggs dish that I couldn’t shake free.

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Asian Food, Bowls, Curry, Indian, International vegan cuisine, oil free vegan recipes, Plant Based, Vegan

Vegan Curry Recipe ~ Butternut Squash, Roasted Cauliflower & Chickpea Curry

Posted on April. 2022April. 2022 by writinstuff

This weather has been so all over the place lately that it makes it difficult to meal plan. Okay the truth is that I’m not much on meal planning, our Midnight Tokyo Diner nights have been working out incredibly for the past few years so we get tons of ingredients, many of them fresh and then pantry staples, and then we can decide from one night to the next.

But with food shortages and shipping delays it’s harder and harder to get what you expect to find in the grocery stores in April. For example, there has been a TON of butternut squash lately which I love, but for me it usually means soup like, Squash & Lentil Stew. Or cookies. Or cake. Those are my go to recipes for squash, but sometimes I feel creative and make Vegan Spinach & Squash Queso Dip or Squash Blondies.

But I wasn’t in the mood and the weather was just insane. It was super warm and we went for a long walk without jackets one day and the next it was gray and gloomy and super chilly. And the only thing to like about a cold and gloomy day is cold weather vegan food. Chili and soups and stews and casseroles are all great vegan meals when the temperature dips and I knew when The Hubs asked for cauliflower curry, exactly what I would do.

Roasted Cauliflower & Butternut Squash Curry

This isn’t a quick vegan dinner but the good news is that the oven does most of the work.

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Asian Food, Bowls, Grains, Indian, International vegan cuisine, oil free vegan recipes, Plant Based, Vegan

Easy Vegan Dinners ~ Spiced Chickpeas & Rice

Posted on March. 2022March. 2022 by writinstuff

We’re all so busy all of the time that we’re often on the lookout for easy vegan recipes, right? I mean, for example I’m committed to the cause, I annoy my friends and family and all that, but some days I want something delicious, vegan and easy. Whether it’s an easy vegan salad or my favorite Easy Vegan Colcannon, sometimes easy is the priority.

Of course, I don’t mean easy like frozen pizza or other vegan junk food that doesn’t quite hit the mark in terms of taste, calorie friendliness or satiety. I mean is this something I will enjoy and not regret when I’m finished eating.

When it comes to this easy plant based vegan recipe, you won’t have any regrets, except that there isn’t enough for seconds. But you can easily double this recipe to make four servings.

So let’s not waste any time and get right into these saucy spiced chickpeas and rice. You can thank me later. 😉

If you want to forego the sauce, simply toss the chickpeas in dry seasoning and pop them in the air fryer or the oven. Otherwise, keep reading to get the recipe.

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Asian Food, Bowls, International vegan cuisine, Vegan

Gochujang Spiced Vegan Chicken, Mushrooms & Rice

Posted on December. 2021December. 2021 by writinstuff

Okay guys, so I have just discovered the easiest, peasiest Asian style vegan dinner recipe on the planet. Maybe discover is a strong word, but I happened upon a few similar recipes that were decidedly not vegan and decided that they had the makings of a super delicious lazy vegan dinner.

Why lazy? Well, put simply, the past couple years have been exhausting. Not only did we move to a place with limited vegan food options right before 2019 got under way, but the only improvements in my small-ish town have been in terms of vegan options at the grocery store.

That means more cooking. More experimenting with vegan recipes. More time in the kitchen.

Which I love.

Mostly.

But it would be nice, every once in a while, to go out where someone else does the cooking. Where there are appetizers and cocktails and maybe even dessert before the bill.

But that’s not on the table unless we schlep all the way to Bucharest which…no.

So, anyway…here is yet another lazy vegan recipe. Gochujang spiced vegan chicken & rice.

When I say easy vegan recipe, I mean emphasis on EASY. The ingredient list in this recipe is short and sweet.

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Asian Food, Bowls, Grains, International vegan cuisine, Vegan

Vegan Egg Roll in a Bowl

Posted on November. 2021November. 2021 by writinstuff

Hello fellow foodies! I’m going to keep today’s post short and sweet because like my American followers, I am gifting myself with a vegan Thanksgiving feast. It’s been a few years since I’ve done the whole Thanksgiving meal but my Romanian in-laws are excited-ish so I have a bit of work to do.

But first, Egg Roll in a Bowl.

Why?

That’s simple. It has been an uphill battle to find vegan egg roll wrappers at stores here and online. Okay, they are abundant online but as much as I love egg rolls, I don’t need 125 wrappers. Then I stumbled upon thousands of vegan recipes for egg roll bowl and egg roll in a bowl and I thought to myself, “Why not?”

So now you are all caught up.

The best thing about having all the yummy goodness of an egg roll but in a bowl on a bed of rice? No deep frying, no air frying, no frying involved. At all.

So how do you make this deconstructed vegan egg roll recipe?

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